Vettori backs Kiwis to enter WC with confidence

Former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has backed the national team to enter the World Cup with confidence, saying that the squad's preparations for the tournament they co-host with Australia are the best they had been in his four previous campaigns.

Vettori, who has been included in New Zealand's squad for the tournament in what would likely be his international swan song after an 18-year career, said that his previous four World Cups there has been some trepidation moving into it but added that this one feels like a good solid squad that is ready for it.

Vettori said that rather than stumbling into the World Cup like they might have done in the past, they can go into the tournament with all their bases covered and everybody firing, Sport24 reported.

Vettori added that that confidence had been lifted over the last two years under captain Brendon McCullum and coach Mike Hesson, with the recent 2-0 Test series victory over Sri Lanka also permeating into the one-day squad.

The veteran left-arm spinner claimed that one can't underestimate how well the guys played in the Test match and how much that confidence has rubbed off on guys like himself and the guys who weren't involved.